Wallows are a band that I have only recently discovered, at least as of earlier this year. While I knew of them before, I had never dug into their music too much besides a few songs here and there. After their third album, Model, came out, I fell head over heels for their music. I knew I had to not only listen to their discography, but also see them live on their tour they had announced earlier this year as well.

It wasn’t until a month before the show that I finally caved and bought the tickets to see them. I had done a deep dive on their music by then, AKA listened to their discography top to bottom, and I had come to the decision I would regret it if I didn’t attend this tour. It’s safe to say, after I ended up attending three shows for their Model tour, I absolutely would have regretted it.

While the photos I took are from their show in Philadelphia, I would like to talk about the first show I attended, at Madison Square Garden. I made a last minute decision to attend the show, as my close friends were also going, and I wanted to surprise them (which I certainly did!). So, I was then attending my first Wallows show with my best friends, while this is also the band’s first time ever playing Madison Square Garden.

Safe to say, I was ecstatic.

The opener, Benee, was a lively opener who absolutely got the energy going, especially with her song, ‘Green Honda’. While I was trying to save as much of my energy as possible for Wallows, I couldn’t help but dance and jump around during her set. What can I say, her attitude was infectious!

It felt like moments after she left the stage, the lights went down and Wallows’ intro began. The first part of ‘Do Not Wait’ reverberated through my bones, goosebumps rising along my skin as their silhouettes appeared against the curtain covering the stage. The way it flickered between each band member was a stunning display, and it easily might be one of the best concert intros I have yet to experience. 

With the build of ‘Do Not Wait’, it then transitioned into ‘Your Apartment’ and the curtain fell, revealing Wallows. I have to say, there’s nothing quite like a curtain drop to get your adrenaline pumping, and Wallows have perfected that art. Only a few songs into the set, I was already (TMI, oh well) drenched in sweat. I had seen clips of their show online before going into this show, but they did nothing to encapsulate the insane energy they actually brought. 

They had perfected their set to a T it seemed; the transitions between each song, the way they engaged the crowd, even in an arena setting, the build-ups when it came to the instrumental bridges. They even utilized a b-stage, located at the back of the floor, where they walked through the crowd to get to! At least, Dylan walked through the crowd (literally, he hopped over the barricade and parted the crowd like the Red Sea), while Cole and Braeden continued playing onstage until it was time to make their own way to the b-stage, where they walked along the sides of the floor. It was a surreal moment, to have the artist be close enough to touch even as you’re in the back of the pit.

During ‘I Don’t Want To Talk’, they even had confetti go off during the last portion of the song and, one thing about me, is I’m a sucker for confetti. They only had confetti at Madison Square Garden and The Kia Forum, so it was a surreal experience to be a part of one of the crowds that got confetti! 

From start to finish, Wallows put on an out-of-body-like experience show. If you weren’t able to catch them on this tour, there’s been talk of a second leg, so, I can not recommend it enough; buy the ticket!!!!! Wallows were made to be onstage and I think everyone should see them, I promise you they will give you the experience of a lifetime.